Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid

Abstract

Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid from nicotinic acid. The hydroxylation is carried out enzymatically in the presence of a microorganism of the species Pseudomonas, Bacillus or Achromobacter, for example, Achromobacter xylosoxydans. Preferably the enzymatic hydroxylation is carried out at 20° to 40° C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions. Also, preferably a 0.1 percent by weight solution up to a saturated (preferably a 0.5 to 10 percent by weight) nicotine acid solution is used.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A biologically pure culture of Achromobacter xylosoxydans DSM 2783, which is capable of specific enzymatic hydroxylation of nicotinic acid to 6-hydroxynicotinic acid. 
     
     
       2. Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid comprising enzymatically hydroxylating nicotinic acid in an aqueous medium containing Achromobacter xylosoxydans DSM 2783 to 6-hydroxynicotinic acid at a pH and a temperature which are effective to achieve such enzymatic hydroxylation, the concentration of the nicotinic acid in the aqueous admixture being such that is effective to substantially prevent the enzymatic conversion of the 6-hydroxynicotinic acid. 
     
     
       3. Process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the enzymatic hydroxylation is carried out at 20° to 40° C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions. 
     
     
       4. Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the concentration of the nicotinic acid is from 0.5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous admixture, up to a saturated nicotinic acid solution. 
     
     
       5. Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the concentration of the nicotinic acid is 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous solution. 
     
     
       6. Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid comprising enzymatically hydroxylating nicotinic acid in an aqueous medium containing the microorganism Achromobacter xylosoxydns DSM 2402 at 20° to 40° C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions, the concentration of the nicotinic acid being 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, which is effective to substantially prevent the enzymatic conversion of the 6-hydroxynicotinic acid. 
     
     
       7. Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid comprising enzymatically hydroxylating nicotinic acid in an aqueous medium containing the microorganism Pseudomonas putida NCIP 10521 at 20° to 40° C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions, the concentration of the nicotinic acid being 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, which is effective to substantially prevent the enzymatic conversion for the 6-hydroxynicotinic acid. 
     
     
       8. Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid comprising enzymatically hydroxylating nicotinic acid in an aqueous medium containing the microorganism Pseudomonas putida NCIP 8176 at 20° to 40 ° C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions, the concentration of the nicotinic acid is 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, which is effective to substantially prevent the enzymatic conversion of the 6-hydroxynicotinic acid.